Press Release

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kaylyn Kendall Dines
(973) 972-7276
www.umdnj.edu

MEDIA ADVISORY

UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Six Children To Receive Awards for Poison Prevention Art Work

In observance of National Poison Prevention Week from March 16 to March 22

Six elementary school children who are winners of a coloring and poster contest sponsored by the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System (NJPIES) will be recognized during an awards ceremony on Monday, March 10, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the State House Annex, Rooms 101 and 103, in Trenton.

The awards ceremony coincides with the observance of National Poison Prevention Week, March 16 to March 22. Called "Children Act Fast! So Do Poisons," its purpose was to educate first and fourth graders about the hazards associated with poisons.

In addition to the poster contest, NJPIES is releasing a new 30-second radio public service announcement featuring Dina Matos McGreevey, First Lady of New Jersey, talking about what to do in a poison emergency.

NJPIES, which operates New Jersey's only Poison Control Center, has a 24-hour seven-day a week hotline staffed by physicians, nurses and pharmacists who are poison information specialists. The telephone number is 1-800-222-1222.

Coloring Contest Winners (1^st Graders):

1^st Place: Ashley Rivera, of Jersey City, Public School #23
2^nd Place: Tyler Hall, National Park, National Park Elementary School
3^rd Place: Hannah Leskow, of Toms River, Silver Bay Elementary School

Poster Contest Winners (4^th Graders):

1^st Place: Athanasia Karagiannis, Elmwood Park, 16^th Avenue School
2^nd Place: Erica Sampson, of Irvington, Madison Avenue School
3^rd Place: Joan Marie Massaro, of River Edge, Roosevelt Elementary School

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